Wednesday, October 18, 2006

The doctor is out

For those of you northern Pennsylvanians who get your news from Binghamton, don't expect to see Dr. Bill Rogers on WBNG anymore. A tipster reports the chief weather forecaster was canned yesterday. Why? Nobody knows, though Beale's Bites has learned Rogers was either shown the door, or escorted to it, following yesterday's newscasts. Talk about a humiliating way to go, especially with November sweeps approaching.

20 Comments:

WBNG used to be the standard-setter in the area, in regards to news. Not anymore. It's all dire, with no respite in sight. I'm sure some kid fresh out of school will take his place, for 1/5th of the pay (meaning they're probably going to be making very little for what they're doing) and like msot of the "new" jounralsts and news readers and weather persons that come to the area: thrown out there with little prep.

WBNG couldn't even sell tiself earlier in the year. Its veteran newsperson - Greg Katlin - is one of the station shareholders/owners. I'd venture a guess he isn't taking any pay cuts.

Dr. Bill was one of the few remaining vets in the area with a sense of on-camera professionalism.

If crap factory FOX 40 were smart - they'd pick him up, pronto. The ABC/NBC conglomerate down ehre could benefit by hiring him as well.

Whatever the case, Binghamton sucks as a place to live, let alone as a television market. When I read some of the whiners and slag-masters talking crap on these comments about Scranton/W-B I laugh to myself, knowing they have no clue what the bottom is: Binghamton, NY.Kids cry here about the Nexstar duopoly, well Binghamton has three of 'em:

How in hell much was this guy making in a Lilliputian market like Bingo? 30-35K, maybe? Remember, BNG pays reporters as little as 16K to start, and to end, because no one stays. And those are salaried positions, no wage and hour rules apply, meaning no overtime. Can this business get any worse?

The last two commentor don't know what they're talking about. Dr. Bill made a lot of money for the Binghamton Market. Greg Catlin isn't one of the station owners, he's the news director. Starting reporters make about 20-21K. Reporters are hourly, getting overtime. The only salaried employees are anchors and a couple producers, and the assignment editor. Dr. Bill didn't lose his job because of his salary. I can guarantee you that much.

Interesting...Viewers either loved him or hated him. I too heard that 'rumor', but I thought that was over with years ago. Oh no, what does WBNG do with all of those WX opens and promos "With the area's most experienced Meteorologist"? Oh well, I hope that then "Your News Leader" stickers are ripped off of their cars soon, they've been bragging to long.

Hmmm...Tax fraud, morman polygamy, or contract ignorance? Take your pick, these conspiracy theories and more are floating around BCVoice.com (Broome County, NY). Dr. Bill was/is the Tom Clark of Binghamton, so there is quite a lot of talk over it. Don't believe me, look for yourself.

Amazing, How much crap can someone spew about someone who is a real genuine and intelligent person. I can assure you there were no handcuffs and no intern chasing. It was in fact all due to money and cutting costs. BNG is going under and doesn't care who is aboard when they sink. If they wanted to get rid of somebody due to a real disgrace to the company, they would have escorted the gerbil killer out the door a long time ago!

Yes, Dr, Bill has a tough time keeping it in his pants. I worked with him and let's just say a certain news reader on the NBC weekend news (who worked with him in Binghamton) had a nasty affair with him.... that disgusted everyone at the time. It also let everyone know how she eventually ended up at NBC...and it wasn't due to the Dr.'s help but due to her own "willingness to do anything to get ahead."

Everyone here who has commented negetivly about Dr Bill obviously has never met him or knows what happend. If you have ever met him you would know what kind of professional, family oriented, honorable, honest, genuine and good natured person he was and is. I'm sure if you actually payed attention to the news you would know that WBNG recently recieved new owners. The new guys cut salaries and cut talented, educated professionals. Why? The desire for wealth! Bottom line. The new owners were very non-professional about handling the entire situation. Dr. Bill is one of the top 10 meteorlogist in the Nation. End of story.